Public meet, rally protest arrest bid
Source: Chronicle News Service
Bishnupur, February 08 2024:
A public meeting was organised by United Protection Committee (UPC), a joint body of organisations in five assembly constituencies, at Wakat Shanglen, Nambol Keithel on Thursday in condemnation of the attempt made to arrest UPC, Nambol convener Thokchom Netaji by Imphal West commando inspector Gunachandra Chanam on Wednesday.
After the meeting, Nambol Keithel was closed down and a rally taken out by women, shopkeepers, street vendors and meira paibi groups from Nambol Bazar to Phoijing denouncing the act.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the protest, UPC Women Wingsecretary L Premila asked the government to shelve attempts to arrest leaders of civil society organisations who have been working day and night to uphold Manipur's integrity.
Condemning the policy of suppressing and arresting individuals and CSOs working for Manipur, she said that the government's bid to brand social activists as anti-social elements instead of recognising their good deeds is not acceptable.
Premila also observed that the government's inability to take action against Kuki-Zo narco-terrorists while hounding people who are safeguarding the state's integrity is highly regrettable.
Hence, the government must immediately stop arresting village volunteers and CSOs members, she reiterated.
During the rally, the participants chanted slogans such as "government should not arrest village volunteers", "no two governments in state", "implement NRC in state", "public leaders should not be considered terrorists", etc.